Pillows for neck & back ache

[Trickymoments]

Hi there, I saw there was another thread on pillows recently but I wondered if anyone could recommend anything specifically fo neck & back ache.
I suffer with this on & off but in the last 2 weeks I've been waking up with a stiff neck painful.

I prefer firmer pillows to soft & need to not be feather as dh is allergic.

We need new pillows anyway so want to get something that will help me.

Thanks

Have you tried no pillow? That would keep your spine straight.

Memory foam. They are fantastic

I hadn't thought of that It'sAll! Thing is I like a firm pillow with a bit of height but I guess it's just because that's what I've always had & what I'm used to.
I wonder if I could get used to having no pillow, it would feel strange but could be worth a go..

I swear by my 'dog bone' Tempur pillow, it's completely eradicated my awful neck pains/tingling fingers.
I was a total sceptic but am now a convert.

Where did you get that PinkPoppy, can't find it online? Is it like a car neck pillow?

Another vote for no pillow - although, in my case, it's the thrice-weekly strengthening sessions at the gym that have eased my neck/shoulder pain more than anyrhing. It does ache more if I use a pillow though.
You'd need to transition towards it, so maybe use a thin cushion if you have one, or a folded up towel.
I also have two mattress toppers, but again, it's the exercise that's made the biggest difference.

That's really helpful Shotgun thank you. Would you mind telling me a bit more about the exercise you do? I am a member of a gym but am not sure what to do there to help with my back/neck & not make it worse. I'm guessing high impact stuff is a no.
I have inflammatory arthritis but my consultant is always telling me to keep my fitness up as it will help. I daren't tell him how unfit I am😧

It's difficult I agree Tricky. Doctors/consultants woll give you vague advice about exercising but never actually suggest anything specific, and you're scared of making things worse by doing the wrong thing.

I started with a physio (finally a decent one!) who insisted I. Have an MRI scan as there was clearly more going on than the xrays my gp had sent me for showed (I do have health insurance so was able to look for an answer more than I probably would otherwise). Based on the results (bone spurs, tendinosis and bursitis - nothing major but apparently requiring quite a long process of recovery), she recommended a strength and conditioning coach, as she herself said physio alone wouldn't be enough.
It's been eight months now and I've gradually built up to various strengthening exercises and stretches, going three times a week and some at home as well. I now pay to see him every two or three weeks as it's not covered by my insurance, but it's worth it as I can see light at the end of the tunnel.
I'm much stronger as well.
Hard to say which exercise has been most effective as we've worked on different groups of muscles to fix my particular weaknesses, but I could pm you links to some of them if you like.

Thank you Shotgun, if you don't mind I'd be interested to see them.
Sorry this has ended up not really a Housekeeping topic but it helps to hear what has helped others!

www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwjewqjD1JbOAhVDdtsKHXQMBtAYABAL&ohost=www.google.co.uk&cid=CAASJORo03nOLDzunPJ-TfR6sME4eBV7wmPqmAf3LicXQc32HaD7tg&sig=AOD64_3JqPF-8DRhuF3p3uckSI3R56CPyg&ctype=5&q=&ved=0ahUKEwifmKbD1JbOAhWmC8AKHTxHC3QQwg8IHQ&adurl=

Not sure if this link will work op.
Fingers crossed!
It's not cheap but I got it free with a new mattress, I expect there are identical ones cheaper if you search.

Will dig out the sheets

As others have mentioned a memory support pillow would be ideal for neck and backaches.